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Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980

97 judgments · newest first · showing 1–97

PRAMOD RAVINDRA DHURIversusSTATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND ORS.

Disposed Off

The petitioner filed a public interest litigation alleging that the Maharashtra Forest Department illegally diverted 1.25 hectares of reserved forest land for an eco‑tourism centre at Dhamapur without obtaining prior approval under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, and that only a post‑facto …

Nilu KumariversusThe State of Bihar

DISMISSED

Petitioner Nilu Kumari sought a writ to quash the Collector‑cum‑District Registrar’s order refusing registration of a parcel of land in Gaya, alleging the land is private and that the authority exceeded its jurisdiction. The land, originally recorded as "Bakast Malik" and settled in 1938‑39, later …

ANSARI WAQAR AHMAD MOHD. YUSUFversusTHE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND ANR

Disposed Off

The petitioner filed a writ petition challenging a communication dated 7 June 2022 that rejected his request to lay a pipeline from Lonwade Shivar, citing prohibitions under the Indian Forest Act, 1927 and the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. The communication was issued by the Forest Range Officer …

ROHAN VIJAY NAHAR & ORS.versusTHE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA & ORS.

2025 INSC 1296Appeal(s) allowed

The appellants, private landowners in Maharashtra, challenged revenue annotations and mutation entries that labelled their lands as private forests and vested in the State, arguing that the statutory requirements for acquisition were not fulfilled. The State contended that notices issued under …

BINDU KAPUREAversusSUBHASHISH PANDA & ORS.

2025 INSC 784

The Supreme Court examined the Delhi Development Authority's (DDA) unauthorised felling of over a thousand trees in the Delhi Ridge and its failure to disclose this during a hearing, despite pending applications for permission. The Court held that these actions amounted to wilful disobedience of its …

IN RE: ZUDPI JUNGLE LANDS versus

2025 INSC 754Disposed off

The Supreme Court examined the status of Zudpi Jungle lands in six districts of Maharashtra, which, although recorded as forest lands, have been used for residential, agricultural, and governmental purposes for decades. The State of Maharashtra sought to treat these lands as non‑forest to avoid the …

A. JOHN KENNEDY ETC.versusSTATE OF TAMIL NADU AND OTHERS ETC.

2025 INSC 443Directions issued

The petitioners, displaced tea estate workers, and public interest litigants sought the removal of long‑standing encroachments and restoration of forest lands in the Agasthyamalai landscape, which includes the Singampatti Zamin forest leased to Bombay Burma Trading Corporation Limited for tea …

THE AUROVILLE FOUNDATIONversusNAVROZ KERSASP MODY & ORS

2025 INSC 347Appeal(s) allowed

The Auroville Foundation appealed against the National Green Tribunal's (NGT) directions that required it to prepare a new township plan and to obtain environmental clearance before completing the Crown Road and other roads in Auroville, alleging that the Tribunal had exceeded its jurisdiction. The …

IN RE: T.N. GODAVARMAN THIRUMULPADversusUNION OF INDIA & ORS.

2024 INSC 997Directions issued

The Supreme Court considered an interlocutory application filed by environmental activist T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad seeking protection for the sacred groves, known as Orans, in Rajasthan. The Court examined the statutory framework, including the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 (as amended in 2023), …

STATE OF U.P. & ANR.versusNORTHERN COAL FIELDS

2024 INSC 948Dismissed

The State of Uttar Pradesh sought to recover annual lease rent from Northern Coal Fields Ltd., a government company, for forest land transferred for mining under the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Act, 1957. The land had been acquired by the Central Government in 1981 under s.10(1) …

IN RE : T.N. GODAVARMAN THIRUMULPADversusUNION OF INDIA & ORS.

2024 INSC 178Directions issued

The Supreme Court examined whether tiger safaris can be treated like zoos under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and whether the proposed tiger safari at Pakhrau in Corbett Tiger Reserve was lawful. It held that a zoo, as defined in s.2(39), is an ex‑situ conservation establishment and tiger …

IN RE: T. N. GODAVARMAN THIRUMULPADversusUNION OF INDIA AND OTHERS

2024 INSC 59Dismissed

The Supreme Court examined the challenge by the Goa Foundation to the criteria adopted by the State of Goa for identifying private forest land, specifically the canopy density threshold of 0.4 and a minimum area of 5 hectares. The Court traced the historical development of these criteria from the …

STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH AND OTHERSversusYOGENDERA MOHAN SENGUPTA AND ANOTHER

2024 INSC 30Appeal(s) allowed

The State of Himachal Pradesh prepared a draft development plan for the Shimla Planning Area under the Himachal Pradesh Town & Country Planning Act, 1977, which was stayed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2014 and again in 2022. The State challenged the NGT orders before the Himachal Pradesh …

THE STATE OF RAJASTHAN & ORS.versusSHARWAN KUMAR KUMAWAT ETC. ETC

2023 INSC 661Appeal(s) allowed

The State of Rajasthan challenged the constitutional validity of sub‑rule (10) of Rule 4 and sub‑rule (3) of Rule 7 of the Rajasthan Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1986, which rejected pending applications for minor‑mineral leases and introduced an auction‑based allocation. The appellants argued …

IN RE : T. N. GODAVARMAN THIRUMULPADversusUNION OF INDIA & ORS.

2023 INSC 442Rejected

The Court was asked to clarify whether mining could be carried out beyond one kilometre from the boundary of a National Park or Wildlife Sanctuary when the proposed site lies within an Eco‑Sensitive Zone (ESZ). The petitioner argued that his mining lease, granted in 2005, was situated 2.26 km from …

IN RE: T.N. GODAVARMAN THIRUMULPADversusUNION OF INDIA AND OTHERS

2023 INSC 430Disposed off

The Union of India sought modification of the Supreme Court's directions dated 3 June 2022 that mandated a uniform one‑kilometre eco‑sensitive zone (ESZ) around every protected forest and prohibited any new permanent structures within such zones. The Court examined the practical difficulties of a …

B.L.A. INDUSTRIES PRIVATE LIMITEDversusUNION OF INDIA AND ANOTHER

2022 INSC 838

B.L.A. Industries Private Limited sought relief under Article 32, contending that it had not been allocated a coal block through the illegal Screening Committee process that the Supreme Court had struck down in the Manohar Lal Sharma judgments. The petitioner had applied for a mining lease to the …

NARINDER SINGH & ORS.versusDIVESH BHUTANI & ORS.

2022 INSC 737Disposed off

The case concerned several civil appeals and writ petitions challenging National Green Tribunal orders that restrained non‑forest activities on lands in three villages of Faridabad district, Haryana, on the ground that these lands were covered by special orders issued under Section 4 of the Punjab …

IN RE: T.N. GODAVARMAN THIRUMULPADversusUNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

2022 INSC 635Disposed off

The Supreme Court examined applications arising from a Central Empowered Committee (CEC) report on illegal mining in Jamua Ramgarh wildlife sanctuary, Rajasthan, and the broader issue of eco‑sensitive zones (ESZ) around protected forests. It affirmed that the State must act as a trustee of natural …

SAMAJ PARIVARTANA SAMUDAYA AND ORS.versusSTATE OF KARNATAKA AND ORS.

2022 INSC 611Disposed off

The petitioners, environmental NGOs, filed a writ under Article 32 seeking a halt to mining in forest areas of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, declaration of illegal mining contracts, and removal of the ban on export of iron ore and pellets. The Supreme Court had earlier imposed a blanket ban on …

CITIZENS FOR GREEN DOON & ORS.versusUNION OF INDIA & ORS.

2021 INSC 885Disposed off

The Supreme Court examined the Chardham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojna, a project to widen about 900 km of national highways in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, which includes three strategic border roads. Environmental groups challenged the project before the National Green Tribunal, leading to the …

ELECTROSTEEL STEELS LIMITEDversusUNION OF INDIA AND ORS. ETC

2021 INSC 859Appeal(s) allowed

Electrosteel Steels Ltd. obtained environmental clearance (EC) and consent to establish a steel plant at a specified site in Bokaro, but later shifted the plant 5.3 km away, allegedly encroaching forest land. The Ministry of Environment and the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) revoked …

IN RE: T.N. GODAVARMAN THIRUMULPADversusUNION OF INDIA & ORS.

2021 INSC 796Directions issued

The Supreme Court examined the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation's (DMRC) request to proceed with Phase‑IV of the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) through areas of the Delhi Ridge, South‑Central and Morphological Ridges, which are either notified forest or deemed forest lands. The petitioners argued that …

CITIZENS FOR GREEN DOONversusUNION OF INDIA AND OTHERS

2021 INSC 740Disposed off

The petitioners, Citizens for Green Dehradun, challenged Stage‑I forest clearances for a highway project and were directed by the Supreme Court to approach the National Green Tribunal (NGT). They filed an original application before the NGT under Section 14, which was dismissed on the ground that …

BENGALURU DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITYversusMR. SUDHAKAR HEGDE & ORS.

2020 INSC 303Disposed off

The Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) sought an environmental clearance (EC) for its Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) project, which was later quashed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on the ground that the primary data used in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report was over three years …

HANUMAN LAXMAN AROOSKARversusUNION OF INDIA & ORS.

2020 INSC 49Disposed off

The Union of India sought a direction that the minutes of the 40th meeting of the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) dated 23 April 2019 be placed on record so that the Supreme Court's embargo on the environmental clearance (EC) for the Mopa greenfield airport could be lifted. The Court examined …

HANUMAN LAXMAN AROSKARversusUNION OF INDIA

2019 INSC 434Disposed off

The Union Government approved a greenfield international airport at Mopa, Goa, and the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) granted environmental clearance (EC) under the 2006 notification after the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) recommended it. Petitioners Hanuman Laxman Aroskar and the …

M/S. SOUTHERN PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRIES CORPN. LTD.versusS. JOEL & ORS.

2019 INSC 233Disposed off

The Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board (TWAD Board) was granted permission to divert 0.055 hectares of forest land for a drinking‑water intake. It later used the water for industrial purposes, prompting a petition before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) which ordered that the water be used …

COMMON CAUSEversusUNION OF INDIA & ORS.

2017 INSC 700IA disposed

The Supreme Court examined the legality of Sarda Mines Private Limited’s (SMPL) mining operations after it received a permission on 13 July 1999 to extract 1.4 LTPA of mineral iron ore and an environmental clearance on 22 September 2004 for expanding production of iron ore (lump) to 4.0 MTPA. The …

N. GODAVARMAN THIRUMULPADversusUNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

2014 INSC 182IA disposed

The petitioners, led by MLA Bhupesh Baghel, sought interlocutory relief to stop non‑forest activities, including mining, by licensee Anil Lunia in Chhattisgarh forests, to initiate criminal prosecution, order a CBI enquiry, recover compensation and enforce afforestation. The Supreme Court …

M.C. MEHTAversusUNION OF INDIA & ORS.

2018 INSC 804IA disposed

The Supreme Court examined whether land in Kant Enclave, notified under the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLP) on 18 August 1992, should be treated as forest land and thus subject to the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. It held that the notification unequivocally designates the area as forest, …

THE GOA FOUNDATIONversusM/S SESA STERLITE LTD. & ORS.

2018 INSC 110Disposed off

The Supreme Court examined the State of Goa's grant of second renewals of mining leases after illegal mining was uncovered. It held that the earlier *Goa Foundation* judgment required the State to grant fresh mining leases, not renewals, and that the High Court erred in directing execution of lease …

STATE OF UTTARAKHAND & ORS.versusM/S. KUMAON STONE CRUSHER

2017 INSC 912Disposed off

The Supreme Court examined a batch of appeals concerning the levy of transit fees on forest produce under the Indian Forest Act, 1927. It held that crushing stone boulders into grits, marble slabs, limestone, coal and related minerals does not change their character as forest produce, and that the …

COMMON CAUSEversusUNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

2017 INSC 700Directions issued

The Supreme Court examined a massive illegal mining scandal in Odisha involving 187 iron and manganese ore leases, many of which operated without environmental or forest clearances, exceeded mining plans, or violated statutory provisions. The Court rejected the lease‑holders' claim that the Justice …

COMMON CAUSEversusUNION OF INDIA AND OTHERS

2017 INSC 700

The Supreme Court examined whether mining leaseholders, whose operations were suspended for lack of environmental clearances, retained a subsisting right to mine. It held that a lease remains subsisting unless a State Government order declares it lapsed, and that the lease period may be deemed …

M/S. MUNEER ENTERPRISESversusM/S RAMGAD MINERALS AND MINING LTD. & ORS.

2015 INSC 209Appeal(s) allowed

The case concerned the mining lease M.L. No.2010 granted to Mis. Dalmia Cements (Bharat) Ltd for forest land in Karnataka. Mis. Dalmia surrendered the lease in stages, culminating in a letter dated 27 March 2001 and the surrender of the lease book on 16 June 2001, which was accepted by the Director …

RAUNAQ EDUCATION FOUNDATIONversusSTATE OF HARYANA & ORS.

2014 INSC 725Dismissed

The Raunaq Education Foundation was allotted 76 acres of forest land by the State of Haryana in 1972 for establishing an educational complex, subject to conditions of timely construction. The foundation failed to develop the school for decades, prompting the Gram Panchayat to seek return of the …

B.S. SANDHUversusGOVERNMENT OF INDIA & ORS. & ETC.

2014 INSC 401Appeal(s) allowed

The Supreme Court examined whether land in village Karoran, notified under Section 3 of the Punjab Land Preservation Act, 1900 and regulated by Sections 4 and 5, automatically qualifies as "forest land" under Section 2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. The High Court had held that the entire …

COMMON CAUSEversusUNION OF INDIA & ORS

2014 INSC 975Disposed off

The Supreme Court examined illegal mining in Odisha where numerous leaseholders were operating without environmental or forest clearances and without renewal under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. The Central Empowered Committee identified 102 non‑working leases, 29 …

GOA FOUNDATIONversusUNION OF INDIA & ORS.

2014 INSC 962Disposed off

The Supreme Court examined public‑interest petitions concerning illegal iron‑ore mining in Goa, the validity of the Justice Shah Commission report, and the status of mining leases deemed to have arisen from pre‑1961 Portuguese concessions. It held that the Commission’s report could not be quashed …

T. N. GODAVARMAN THIRUMULPADversusUNION OF INDIA & ORS.

2014 INSC 182Disposed off

The Supreme Court disposed of several interlocutory applications filed by various States seeking greater releases from the Ad‑hoc Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA). The Court modified its earlier order of July 2009, directing the National CAMPA Advisory …

GODREJ & BOYCE MFG. CO. LTD. & ANR.versusTHE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA & ORS.

2014 INSC 68Appeal(s) allowed

Godrej & Boyce acquired a 133-acre parcel in Vikhroli, which was declared waste land and cultivated before 1951. The State later issued a show‑cause notice under Section 35(3) of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 (notice No. WT/53) in 1956‑57, but never served it or took possession, while repeatedly …

T.N. GODAVARMAN THIRUMULPADversusUNION OF INDIA & ORS.

2014 INSC 901Disposed off

The petitioners sought compliance with the Supreme Court's order in Lafarge Umiam Mining Private Limited v. Union of India, which directed the Central Government to appoint a National Regulator under Section 3(3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for independent appraisal and monitoring of …

ALAKNANDA HYDRO POWER CO. LTD.versusANUJ JOSHI & ORS.

2013 INSC 535Disposed off

The Srinagar Hydro Electric Project (SHEP) in Uttarakhand, originally cleared environmentally in 1985 and forest‑cleared in 1987, was later transferred to Alaknanda Hydro Power Co. Ltd. (AHPCL) with a capacity increase to 330 MW. Petitioners challenged the validity of the clearances and sought a …

K. GURUPRASAD RAOversusSTATE OF KARNATAKA AND OTHERS

2013 INSC 397Appeal(s) allowed

The Supreme Court heard a public‑interest writ petition seeking the cancellation of a mining lease and a ban on mining within one kilometre of the 16th‑century Jambunatha Temple, a protected monument in Karnataka. The petition challenged mining activities that were alleged to have caused structural …

SAMAJ PARIVARTANA SAMUDAYA & ORS.versusSTATE OF KARANATAKA & ORS.

2013 INSC 265Disposed off

The Supreme Court examined massive illegal iron‑ore mining in Karnataka’s Bellary, Tumkur and Chitradurga districts, which had caused severe forest loss and financial loss to the exchequer. A Central Empowered Committee (CEC) and a Court‑appointed Joint Team surveyed 166 mining leases, categorising …

ORISSA MINING CORPORATIONversusMINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT & FOREST & OTHERS

2013 INSC 267Disposed off

The Supreme Court considered a writ petition filed by Orissa Mining Corporation (OMC) seeking to quash the Ministry of Environment and Forests' (MoEF) order rejecting Stage‑II forest clearance for diversion of 660.749 hectares of forest land for a bauxite mining project in the Niyamgiri hills. The …

CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT LAW, WWF-1versusUNION OF INDIA & OTHERS

2013 INSC 254Case Allowed

The Court examined a petition seeking direction to relocate the critically endangered Asiatic lion from its sole habitat in Gir, Gujarat, to Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh, as a second home for long‑term survival. Scientific studies by the Wildlife Institute of India and the National Board …

STATE OF ORISSA & ORS.versusM/S MESCO STEELS LTD. & ANR.

2013 INSC 138Appeal(s) allowed

The State of Orissa granted a mining lease to MESCO Steels Ltd. for iron ore, but later a Director of Mines issued an intra‑departmental communication recommending reduction of the lease area due to overlapping claims and forest land. The State then issued a show‑cause notice to MESCO, which the …

SAMAJ PARIVARTAN SAMUDAYA & ORS.versusSTATE OF KARNATAKA &ORS.

2012 INSC 230Hearing Adjourned

The Supreme Court examined a writ petition filed by Samaj Parivartan Samuday alleging continued illegal mining of iron ore in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, despite earlier orders and a CBI charge‑sheet. The Court considered reports of a Central Empowered Committee (CEC) that identified …

STATE OF GUJARAT & OTHERSversusESSAR OIL LIMITED AND ANOTHER

2012 INSC 34Appeal(s) allowed

The State of Gujarat introduced a Capital Investment Incentive Scheme offering sales‑tax deferment to new industrial units that had to commence commercial production by a prescribed date. Essar Oil Ltd, a premier unit, was delayed in starting production because the Gujarat High Court, in several …

K. BALAKRISHNAN NAMBIARversusSTATE OF KARNATAKA

2011 INSC 356Dismissed

The appellant held a lease of 75 acres of land within the East Aletty Reserved Forest, originally granted in 1949 for areca nut cultivation. The lease expired in 1999-2000 and the appellant sought renewal, but the Karnataka State Government refused, citing the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and …

STATE OF KARNATAKA AND ORS.versusJANTHAKAL ENTERPRISES AND ANR.

2011 INSC 299Appeal(s) allowed

The Supreme Court allowed the appeals filed by the State of Karnataka and other authorities against the Karnataka High Court’s order permitting Janthakal Enterprises to lift 1,17,800 tonnes of dumped ore. The Court held that the High Court had erred by disposing of a writ petition involving disputed …

KRISHNADEVI MALCHAND KAMATHIA & ORS.versusBOMBAY ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION GROUP & ORS.

2011 INSC 85Disposed off

The Supreme Court examined contempt applications arising from the appellants' (Krishnadevi Malchand Kamathia & Ors.) alleged violation of a conditional order permitting them to repair an old bund on land classified as CRZ‑1 and notified as a reserve forest. The Court found that the appellants, under …

MAHARASHTRA LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND ORS.versusSTATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND ANR.

2010 INSC 768Dismissed

The Supreme Court examined whether a 53‑acre portion of Survey No. 345‑A in Dahisar was a "private forest" under the Maharashtra Private Forests (Acquisition) Act, 1975 on the appointed day of 30 August 1975, and whether the State’s acquisition of that land was proportionate and lawful. The Court …

MAHANADI COAL FIELDS LTD. & ANR.versusMATHIAS ORAM & ORS.

2010 INSC 409Hearing Adjourned

Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd., a subsidiary of Coal India Ltd., sought relief from an order of the Orissa High Court directing payment of compensation for lands acquired in 1987 under the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Act, 1957. The lands, belonging to tribal owners, had never been …

M.C. MEHTAversusUNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

2009 INSC 750Disposed off

The Supreme Court examined extensive illegal mining in the Aravalli Hills of Haryana, where numerous mines operated without environmental clearances, rehabilitation plans, or compliance with statutory reclamation requirements, causing severe groundwater depletion and ecological damage. The Court …

NATURE LOVERS MOVEMENTversusSTATE OF KERALA AND OTHERS

2009 INSC 371Disposed off

The Nature Lovers Movement challenged the Kerala government's regularisation of forest land occupied by unauthorised settlers, arguing that Section 2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 is not prospective and that the state could assign forest land without Central Government approval. The Supreme …

A. CHOWGULE & CO. LTD.versusGOA FOUNDATION & ORS.

2008 INSC 945Dismissed

The Government of Goa leased 12 hectares of land, classified as forest, to A. Chowgule & Co. Ltd. for an export‑oriented iron‑ore beneficiation plant. Respondents filed writ petitions challenging the lease, arguing that the land was forest and required prior Central Government approval under Section …

M.C. MEHTAversusUNION OF INDIA & ORS.

2008 INSC 662Dismissed

The Supreme Court examined petitions filed by developers who had created plots in the Aravalli Range and sold them to non‑resident buyers, seeking relief from a 1992 notification under Sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Punjab Land Preservation Act, 1900 that prohibited certain activities for 30 years. The …

T.N. GODAVARMAN THLRUMULPADversusUNION OF INDIA & ORS.

2006 INSC 1018Disposed off

The Supreme Court examined whether Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited (KIOCL) could continue mining weathered secondary ore beyond the 2005 deadline set by earlier orders, and whether its operations were causing environmental harm. The Court found that KIOCL had used the period for commercial …

STATE OF KERALA AND ORS.versusSUNIL KUMAR AND ORS.

2006 INSC 240Appeal(s) allowed

The predecessor of the respondents was granted a lease over forest land, but later encroached on an additional 146.42 acres. The Kerala State Government initially decided to regularise the encroachment by granting a lease, but after the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 came into force, it rejected the …

T.N. GODAVARMAN THIRUMULPADversusUNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

2006 INSC 217Dismissed

The Supreme Court examined a public‑interest litigation filed by Deepak Agarwal challenging the lease of about 15 hectares of land to Maruti Clean Coal and Power Ltd for a coal‑washery, alleging that the land was forest land under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. The Court first assessed the …

MULLAPERIYAR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FORUMversusUNION OF INDIA

2006 INSC 127Disposed off

The Supreme Court examined a writ petition filed by the Mullaperiyar Environmental Protection Forum seeking to set aside the 1886 lease agreement and related provisions, and to prevent the raising of the Mullaperiyar Dam water level beyond 136 ft. The Court held that Section 108 of the States …

T.N. GODAVARMAN THIRUMULPADversusUNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

2005 INSC 439Disposed off

The petition sought directions on whether user agencies diverting forest land for non‑forest purposes must compensate by paying the Net Present Value (NPV) of the lost forest benefits and what guidelines should govern NPV calculation. The Court examined the statutory framework of the Forest …

SRI RAM SAHAversusSTATE OF WEST BENGAL AND ORS.

2004 INSC 604Appeal(s) allowed

Sri Ram Saha, the owner of a private garden (bagan) in West Bengal, sought to fell several old trees affected by worms and replace them with saplings. Local police and the Block Land Reforms Officer stopped him, citing the High Court’s interpretation of Sections 4‑A, 4‑B and 4‑C of the West Bengal …

M.C. MEHTAversusUNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

2004 INSC 188Disposed off

The Supreme Court examined whether mining activities within a 5 km radius of the Delhi‑Haryana border and in the Aravalli hills cause environmental degradation and whether the earlier order of 6 May 2002 banning such mining should be varied. It held that the ban remains in force until a newly …

ESSAR OIL LTD.versusHALAR UTKARSH SAMITI AND ORS.

2004 INSC 40Disposed off

Essar Oil Ltd., Bharat Oman Refineries Ltd. and Gujarat Positra Port Co. sought to lay crude‑oil pipelines through the Jamnagar Marine National Park and Sanctuary. Public‑interest litigants challenged the Gujarat State Government's permission under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (WPA) sections …

K.M. CHINNAPPA IN T.N. GODAVARMAN THIRUMALPADversusUNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

2002 INSC 452IA disposed

The Supreme Court considered an interlocutory application filed by a wildlife trustee seeking an injunction to stop mining by Kudremukh Iron Ore Co. Ltd. in Kudremukh National Park, a area declared a national park under the Wildlife Protection Act. The company argued that its mining lease, expiring …

NARMADA BACHAO ANDOLAN ETC. ETC.versusUNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

2000 INSC 489Disposed off

The Supreme Court examined a public‑interest writ petition challenging the construction of the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River. The petitioners argued that the environmental clearance granted in 1987 was invalid, that the height of the dam should be reduced, and that the relief and …

STATE OF BIHAR AND ORS.versusINDIAN ALUMINIUM COMPANY AND ORS.

1997 INSC 667Dismissed

The State of Bihar enacted the Bihar Forest Restoration and Improvement of Degraded Forest Land Taxation Act, 1992 to levy a tax on the excavation and use of forest land for non‑forest purposes. Respondents, including Indian Aluminium Company, held mining leases under the Mines and Minerals …

SAMATHAversusSTATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH AND ORS.

[1997] SUPP. 2 S.C.R. 305Disposed off

The case concerned the validity of mining leases granted by the State of Andhra Pradesh to non-tribal persons in scheduled areas, including reserved forests. The appellant, a society, challenged these leases as violating the Andhra Pradesh Scheduled Area Land Transfer Regulation, 1959, the Forest …

T.N. GODAVARMAN THIRUMULKPAD ETC.versusUNION OF INDIA AND ORS. ETC. ETC.

1997 INSC 226Disposed off

The Supreme Court, hearing a writ petition under Article 32 challenging the implementation of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, modified its earlier interim order of 12 December 1996. It directed the constitution of a High Power Committee to prepare an inventory of all timber and timber products in …

STATE OF ORISSAversusDUTI SAHU AND ORS.

1997 INSC 25Appeal(s) allowed

The State of Orissa appealed against an Orissa High Court order that directed the issuance of timber transit permits to displaced persons who had been assigned land in a reserved forest for cultivation between 1982 and 1985. The assignment was conditioned that the standing trees on the land remained …

M.C. MEHTAversusKAMAL NATH AND ORS.

1996 INSC 1482Disposed off

The Supreme Court entertained a public‑interest writ filed by environmental activist M.C. Mehta challenging the lease of forest land on the banks of the River Beas to Span Motels Private Limited, a company linked to former Environment Minister Kamal Nath. The petition alleged that the motel had …

T. N. GODAVARMAN THIRUMULKPAD ETC.versusUNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

1996 INSC 1477Disposed off

The Supreme Court examined the scope of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and clarified that the term "forest" includes all statutorily recognised forests irrespective of ownership. It held that any activity such as operating saw‑mills, veneer or plywood mills, or mining within forest areas is a …

S. JAGANNATHversusUNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

1996 INSC 1466Appeal(s) allowed

The petition, filed under Article 32, sought to stop intensive and semi‑intensive prawn farming in ecologically fragile coastal zones, to prohibit use of waste/wet lands for such farms, and to constitute a national coastal management authority. The Court examined whether modern shrimp aquaculture …

THE DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER AND ORS.versusS. NAGESHWARAMMA

1996 INSC 938Appeal(s) allowed

The respondent held a mining lease granted in 1979 for extracting minerals in a forest area, which expired in 1984. The Forest Conservation Act, 1980, which came into force in 1980, requires prior central government approval for any mining in forest areas. In 1989 the respondent applied for renewal …

UNION OF INDIA AND ORS.versusKAMATH HOLIDAY RESORTS PVT. LTD.

1996 INSC 40Disposed off

The Union of India leased a site in a reserved forest in the Union Territory of Daman to Kamath Holiday Resorts for a snack bar and restaurant. The Conservator of Forests objected, invoking Section 2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, which restricts de‑reservation or non‑forest use of forest …

STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH AND OTHERSversusGANESH WOOD PRODUCTS AND ORS. ETC.

1995 INSC 554Appeal(s) allowed

The Supreme Court examined the validity of the Himachal Pradesh government's refusal to approve several katha‑manufacturing units after the Industrial Projects Approval and Review Authority (IPARA) had given provisional approvals. The Court held that IPARA’s approvals were merely administrative …

SRI BAGAWATI TEA ESTATES LTD.versusGOVERNMENT OF INDIA AND ORS.

1995 INSC 96Appeal(s) allowed

The petitioners, owners of private forests in Kerala, challenged the constitutional validity of the Kerala Private Forests (Vesting and Assignment) Act, 1971, arguing that the State had failed to implement its agrarian‑reform objectives under Section 10 and that the later Forest (Conservation) Act, …

STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH AND ORS.versusM/S. KRISHNADAS TIKARAM

1994 INSC 410Appeal(s) allowed

The respondent was granted a mining lease in 1966 to extract limestone from a forest area, which expired in 1986. After the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 came into force, any grant or renewal of such a lease required prior approval of the Central Government under Section 2. The State Government …

STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH AND ORS.versusM/S. ANUPAMA MINERALS ETC. ETC.

1994 INSC 368Appeal(s) allowed

The State of Andhra Pradesh and others granted mining leases to Mis. Anupama Minerals under Rule 31 of the A.P. Mining Rules, 1966. After the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 came into force, the respondents applied for renewal of the leases. The State Government refused renewal, invoking the …

FOREST RANGE OFFICER AND ORS.versusP.MOHAMMED ALI AND ORS.

1993 INSC 179Case Partly allowed

The State initiated criminal proceedings under the Kerala Forest Act, 1961 against P. Mohammed Ali and others for manufacturing and possessing sandalwood oil. The accused contended that sandalwood oil is not "wood oil" as defined in Section 2(f)(i) of the Act and therefore the trial court lacked …

TARUN BHARAT SANGH, ALWARversusUNION OF INDIA AND OTHERS

1993 INSC 147

The Supreme Court heard a petition filed under Article 32 by the environmental NGO Tarun Bharat Sangh, seeking to stop illegal mining in the Alwar Tiger Reserve, which is also a sanctuary, national park and protected forest under various statutes. The Court examined whether the mining leases granted …

RURAL LITIGATION & ENTITLEMENT KENDRAversusSTATE OF U.P.

1988 INSC 254Disposed off

The Supreme Court entertained a public‑interest writ filed by Rural Litigation & Entitlement Kendra alleging illegal limestone mining in the Mussoorie‑Dehradun belt that was harming the ecology and forest cover. Several expert committees (Bhargava, Working Group, Bandyopadhyay) classified the mines …

AMBICA QUARRY WORKS & ANR.versusSTATE OF GUJARAT & ORS.

1986 INSC 267Dismissed

Ambica Quarry Works and others held quarry leases for minor minerals that were granted before the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 came into force. After the Act, they applied for renewal of these leases under Rule 18 of the Gujarat Minor Mineral Rules, 1966, but the applications were rejected …

STATE OF BIHARversusBANSHI RAM MODI & ORS.

1985 INSC 126Disposed off

The State of Bihar granted a mining lease in 1966 for mica on 80 acres of reserved forest. During mining, the lessee discovered felspar and quartz and, in 1983, the parties executed a Deed of Incorporation to include these minerals in the existing lease. The Divisional Forest Officer barred the …